A completely mechanical hold open device for a swingably mounted vehicle closure includes a pair of telescoping members pivotally connected to the closure and vehicle body and a releasable latching means for automatically holding the telescoping members in an extended position and hence the closure in its open position. The latching means is constructed such that it can be automatically released by merely exerting a downward force in excess of a predetermined magnitude on the closure to move the latter to its closed position.